CASSOPOLIS — In October 2010, a vicious pit bull attack left a 20-year-old Cassopolis woman with severe facial disfigurement including the loss of portions of her lips and face.

Tuesday a Cass County jury found the owner, Leddrew Renard Smith Jr., 44, of 302 Sherman St., Cassopolis, guilty under Michigan criminal law of  allowing  the dog to maim the woman.

Animal Control Officer Ronald Butts characterized the female’s injuries in his courtroom testimony as one of the most severe injuries he had seen in 19 years working for Cass County Animal Control.

Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Sytsma tried the case for the people.

Pit bull ownership has been restricted in numerous jurisdictions due to their severe aggressive tendencies, according to the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office.

Municipalities in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,  Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah,  Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin have enacted such legislation.

There are approximately 493 dog breeds recognized by Kennel Clubs around the world.

A 2000 study by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that from 1979–1998  put bulls were responsible for 32 percent of all humans killed in the United States by dogs during that time period.

The victim testified that on Oct. 17, 2010, she visited Smith’s residence earlier in the day.

She left and later decided to return to Smith’s residence via a backyard shortcut.

The victim explained that she accidentally wandered into the area where Smith’s pit bull was chained up.

Suddenly, the pit bull leapt on the victim, biting her face and arm.

Following the dog bite, Smith drove the victim to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and later transferred to Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo for treatment by a plastic surgeon.

Officer Don Obermesik of the Cassopolis Police Department responded to Lee-Memorial Hospital and began investigating the incident.

Photographic evidence at trial revealed that the female victim suffered severe facial injuries as a result of the unprovoked attack.

In an earlier court proceeding, Fourth District Court declared the pit bull to be a dangerous dog and ordered it to be humanely euthanized.

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz stated Wednesday, “Allowing this dog access to the general public was like having a live bear trap in the back yard.

“In this case, the adult was able to pull away from the attack. Imagine if this had been a toddler in the jaws of the pit bull. Dog owners have a responsibility to protect children and adults from aggressive canines.”

Fitz  stressed the use of common sense when it comes to dogs such as pit bulls.

“f your dog is a pit bull or other aggressive breed, you need to take the proper steps to make sure that others in the community will not be injured.  When it comes to pit bulls, this generally means a fenced-in area or direct human supervision.”

Section 11.3 of the Cass County Dog Law Enforcement Ordinance holds a dog owner responsible for a dog bite if “a dog, licensed or unlicensed, has attacked or bitten a person or animal.”

A violation of this ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled before Judge Stacey Rentfrow on April 15, 2011.